Irrigators raise concerns about draft water policy

Irrigators says they are worried the State Government's draft policy to protect water resources from mining projects is non-binding and could be ineffective.

The mining industry, irrigators, farmers and environmentalists are working with the Government on a new aquifer interference policy as concerns grow about the impact of the mining industry on agricultural and water resources. Andrew Gregson from the New South Wales Irrigators' Council says mining projects of state significance will be exempt.

He has mostly praised the policy - but says the Water Minister's advice needs to be binding to make an impact.

"There is absolutely no questions that the mining and coal seam gas sectors have exerted serious political pressure but at the same time I think positive work can be said for the Government and in particular the Departments involved for putting together a pretty good set of rules," he said.

"All we've got to do now is make those rules binding or otherwise they're not really worth that much."

He is urging the Government to make them binding.

"We've been asking however that the process be reversed and that the advice of the Water Minister be binding and that if aquifers are going to be overly negatively impacted then a project won't get approval, we understand now that this is a matter for consideration by Cabinet and we're asking them to seriously consider protecting water resources."